Thomas’ travelogue

Mosques of Xining

Mosques of Xining uploaded on 30 July 2008

Large mosques call local Muslims to prayer. The most important Friday prayer sessions spill into the courtyard.

Beishan Temple, Xining

Beishan Temple, Xining uploaded on 30 July 2008

The Beishan Temple is cut into the cliffs on the edge of town. A Chinese temple in a city with its share of Mosques is a reminder of China's sometimes-overlooked diversity.

Muslim China, Xining

Muslim China, Xining uploaded on 30 July 2008

Streetside dentistry in one of Xining's open-air markets.

Minarets, Muslims, and Mandarins

Minarets, Muslims, and Mandarins uploaded on 30 July 2008

A minaret juts into the wide skies of the Tibetan Plateau, home to Hui, Salar, and other Islamic minorities.

Muslim Powwow in Xining, China

Muslim Powwow in Xining, China uploaded on 30 July 2008

Local men powwow in the shade of a tree in the courtyard of a local Mosque.

On the road to Jiuzhaigou

On the road to Jiuzhaigou uploaded on 30 July 2008

Cracked from the earthquake, this house near Mianyang, Sichuan hangs on while the slope
around it has fallen away. Though highways have opened up and provincial tourism authorities have called for discounts to entice tourists, earthquake damage is still easily visible on the road to Jiuzhaigou.

Earthquake Damage, Sichuan

Earthquake Damage, Sichuan uploaded on 30 July 2008

Earthquake damage is easily visible on the road from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou, like that of this flattened village in the Mianyang area.

Pearl Shoal Falls, Jiuzhaigou

Pearl Shoal Falls, Jiuzhaigou uploaded on 30 July 2008

Water rushes down Pearl Shoal Falls, one of the seemingly innumerable waterfalls in Jiuzhaigou.

Tree River and Tibetan Village, Jiuzhaigou

Tree River and Tibetan Village, Jiuzhaigou uploaded on 30 July 2008

Trees shoot up from calcium deposits amid water rushing to form a lake with a Tibetan village in the background. Literally translating as "nine village gully," Jiuzhaigou is home to a scattering of Tibetan villages.

Where are the visitors? Jiuzhaigou

Where are the visitors? Jiuzhaigou uploaded on 30 July 2008

Scenic spots like this one at Long Lake are normally bustling with tourists taking pictures, but tourism is down after earthquakes in the province. As a result, shops like this one offering photo services are empty.

Thomas Talhelm

Thomas Talhelm has been a member since 30 July 2008 and goes by talhelmt.

Currently in Malaysia.

I am a freelancer based in China, traveling in China and elsewhere in Asia. I'm fluent in Mandarin, so I use that to explore as much as I can.

You can also find Thomas at blogs.princet...onal/ttalhelm.